Frozen assets

This film is so hot, it's inspired themed parties costing up to Dh500,000.

A Frozen themed brithday party held at Zabeel Saray in Dubai. Courtesy Cheeky Little Events

Even as Hollywood blockbusters go, Frozen is something of a phenomenon. The Walt Disney film, a musical loosely based on Hans Christian Andersen's The Snow Queen, has made $1.26 billion (Dh4.6bn) at the box office and been credited with reinvigorating the art of animation. It has also helped reinvigorate the bank balances of not just the Disney studios but the many companies that make related merchandise, including a much-sought-after doll of the lead character, Elsa.

As any parent knows, when something is popular with young children, it can quickly become an obsession. And, right now, Frozen is hot. So much so that, as The National reported yesterday, some families in Dubai are paying up to Dh500,000 for children's parties themed around the film. One such party involved Elsa makeovers, a snowball fight, singing actors, professional lighting and purpose-built scenery.

While there’s no doubt that the children lucky enough to attend would have had great fun, they probably would have been just as happy with a more modest affair, such as a trip to the cinema or a sleepover. Sadly, when it comes to extravagance, it’s the adults who tend to be more competitive than the children.